Monday, May 27, 2019

New work added to the Sculpture Park

Before or after the Parade, plan a visit to the Sculpture Park on Panther Way. There is parking next to the Police Station and off Edwards St.

colored PVC piping was added to the Sculpture Park "trees of life"
colored PVC piping was added to the Sculpture Park "trees of life"

colored PVC piping was added to the Sculpture Park "trees of life" 2
colored PVC piping was added to the Sculpture Park "trees of life" 2

colored PVC piping was added to the Sculpture Park "trees of life" 3
colored PVC piping was added to the Sculpture Park "trees of life"

colored PVC piping was added to the Sculpture Park "trees of life" 4
colored PVC piping was added to the Sculpture Park "trees of life" 4

colored PVC piping was added to the Sculpture Park "trees of life" 5
colored PVC piping was added to the Sculpture Park "trees of life" 5


view across the old swimming hole to the 'rainbow'
view across the old swimming hole to the 'rainbow'

two faces with a view of the rainbow
two faces with a view of the rainbow

Sunday, May 26, 2019

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - May 28, 2019

Vision Statement
The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

A G E N D A
“The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law.”

1. Routine Business
a. Review of Agenda
b. Citizen’s Comments
i. In the spirit of open communication, “the School Committee will hear public comment not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee Meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment” – from Policy BEDH
c. FHS Student Representative Comments
d. Superintendent’s Report

2. Guests / Presentations
a. Retiree Recognition
b. School Start Times Presentation
c. District Improvement Plan Update (Communication)

3. Discussion / Action Items
a. Policy 2nd Reading/Adoption
I recommend adoption of the following Policies as discussed:

  • 1. JKAA – Physical Restraint of Students
  • 2. ID – Emotional Support Dogs


4. Discussion Only Items
a. Superintendent’s Evaluation (presentation of additional evidence)

5. Information Matters
a. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Budget; Community Relations; Policy; Transportation; Public Schools Advocacy; Ad Hoc Superintendent’s Evaluation)b. School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC; Substance Abuse TaskForce; School Wellness Advisory Council [SWAC]; School Start Times AdvisoryCommittee [SSTAC], MASC)
6. New Business
a. To discuss any future agenda items

7. Consent Agenda
a. Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from your May 14, 2019 School Committee meeting as detailed.
b. Transfers
I recommend approval of the budget transfers as detailed.
c. FHS Scholarships
I recommend acceptance of the following FHS Scholarships:
i. Peter Coppola (RE: Andrew Coppola) $2,000.00
ii. Friends of the Franklin Library $1,000.00
d. Parmenter Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $290.00 from the Parmenter PCC for field trips as detailed.
e. Music Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,800.00 from Franklin Music Boosters for in-house enrichment as detailed.

8. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

9. Payroll Mrs. Douglas

10. Correspondence

11. Executive Session
a. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the FEA/RN unit as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so declares.

12. Adjournment

The PDF version of this agenda can be found online
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/scagenda_5-28-19.pdf

The documents released for this agenda can be found online (when released)
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/school-committee-packet-52819

Parmenter School Sign
Parmenter School Sign

Town Council - Budget Hearings Recap - May 22-23, 2019

A disappointing performance by the Town Council in the two budget budget hearings. Why? They conducted a "public hearing" where they did not allow the public to speak on the first night. Is that really a public hearing? The first night was also marred by a series of questions by one councilor badgering a manager with whom he clearly has demonstrated a dislike. 

This was a budget hearing not a personnel performance discussion and totally inappropriate in the 'public forum'. That no one interceded to take it offline was also a disappointment.

The second night closed on a high note with the goodbyes and well wishes for the retiring Town Administrator Jeff Nutting. Jeff has been a professional and dedicated manager for the 12 plus years I have observed and reported on the town's business. I wish him well in his retirement.

Oh and yes, the budget as proposed was passed with two votes. The two votes were required to enable Councilor Glenn Jones to participate in almost all of the discussion and only recuse himself from the vote on the Tri-County portion of the budget. A sensible solution to a potential conflict of interest situation.

The schools will cut teachers, kindergarten aides, and high schoolers will pay for parking among the key take aways. Many of the critical needs prepared for by the schools in their initial budget will go unmet. It may be just this year but for the students, it is one year in school that they don't get to do over. 

The method of sharing the budget info is not one that works well. While the Council got their questions answered, they easily skipped over including the public in the discussion. Given the reality of tough budget decisions next year and more across the board than the road repair funds and schools, this should also be a consideration. How best to get the residents and voters involved with the budget details?

Links below provide the detailed notes reported during the meetings as well as links to the budget documents.


Wednesday, May 22


Agenda for the first hearing
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/05/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-may-22.html


Thursday, May 23










Town Council - Budget Hearings Recap - May 22-23, 2019
New Town Administrator Jamie Hellen makes his remarks thanking
Jeff Nutting for his service and guidance 


FHS baseball, lacrosse teams post wins; T Brogan sets school record in 1 Mile

Via HockomockSports, we share the results of the FHS sports action on Saturday, May 25, 2019.

Baseball = Franklin, 6 vs. Lincoln-Sudbury, 4 – Final
– Franklin beat Lincoln-Sudbury to claim the Pedroli tournament championship. The Panthers built a 4-0 lead, and once the Warriors threatened by scoring twice, added two runs of their own and then held off Lincoln-Subdury in the final innings for the win. Senior Jake Macchi had two hits and scored two runs to earn tournament MVP honors.

Alex Haba also had two hits with an RBI and two runes scored. Scott Elliott (run), Jack Nally (run, RBI), Joe Lizotte (run), Shane O’Neil (run), Cooper Ross (RBI), and JB Floris (RBI) all contributed for Franklin. Brennan Rivera earned the win, allowing one earned run on four hits, two walks, and seven strikeouts in 6.2 innings of work while Liam Dailey fanned the final batter for the save.

Boys Lacrosse = Franklin, 15 @ Cohasset, 7 – Final

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-05-25-19/


And via the Twitterverse





Complete MIAA results can be found online http://miaa.ezstream.net/index.cfm?itemid=8313

FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

Franklin Performing Arts Company to Host Golf Tournament - June 3

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) will host its Annual Golf Tournament at New England Country Club in Bellingham, MA on Monday, June 3. Golfers and their families are invited for this unique event that offers a day on the course, an awards ceremony, dinner, raffle, and entertainment.

New England Country Club is an 18 hole championship golf course located in Bellingham, Massachusetts. The scenic New England Country Club is one of the best conditioned public courses in the area. This enjoyable 18 hole championship golf course, designed by Hale Irwin, has the look and feel of a private golf course. The rolling hills, tree lined fairways, and multiple tee boxes give each hole a unique character and provide a fair challenge for all ability levels. Breathtaking New England scenery can be viewed from the dining room, tent facility and throughout the golf course.

Nestled in the Metrowest region of Massachusetts, the Franklin Performing Arts Company is a not-for-profit institution committed to live performance with a focus on youth development. FPAC supports educational arts experiences, quality entertainment, and outstanding performance opportunities for professional artists, amateur performers, and students of the arts, as well as performing arts production and presentation programming. 

In its home at THE BLACK BOX, FPAC strives to further enhance the cultural life in our region and drive a robust and dynamic downtown center. Celebrate and support the power of the arts to enrich , educate, and inspire.

For more information please email Alan Mercer at amercer@fpaconline.com, visit www.FPAConline.com, or call 508-528-3370.


Franklin Performing Arts Company to Host Golf Tournament - June 3
Franklin Performing Arts Company to Host Golf Tournament - June 3

Trash and recycling pickup schedule - delayed one day due to Memorial Day

The trash and recycling pickup schedule will be delayed one day this week due to the Memorial Day holiday. From the recent recycling flyer
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/franklin_2018_2019.pdf


Holidays
Collection will be delayed one day if your collection day falls on or after one of these observed holidays. Please note if an observed Holiday falls on a Sunday there will be NO DELAY in collection.

  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day
  • New Year’s Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day

Trash and recycling pickup schedule - delayed one day due to Memorial Day
Trash and recycling pickup schedule - delayed one day due to Memorial Day

MBTA - Monday, Memorial Day - Commuter Rail notice

On Monday, May 27, the Commuter Rail will operate on a Sunday schedule.

All lines will operate normal Sunday train service, not shuttle buses. Please refer to the train schedule for departure and arrival times.

Last Updated: May 24 2019 01:47 PM


The Franklin Line schedule can be found online
https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin/timetable


Approaching South Station
Approaching South Station